July 26, 2024
DAY 16 – AUGUST 11, 2024
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games come to an end
The closing day of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games saw no action from the Saskatchewan contingent, but that does not mean things were quiet in Paris. The final moments of the Games took place in athletics, basketball, cycling, modern pentathlon, handball, wrestling, weightlifting, water polo and volleyball, with no further medals claimed by the Canadians.
Canada earned a total medal haul of 27 (nine gold, seven silver and 11 bronze), three more medals claimed than at the 2020 Tokyo Games. This makes Paris the most successful non-boycotted Olympic Summer Games for the red and white.
To bring an end to the 16 days of competition and camaraderie, the Closing Ceremony took place with four-time Olympic medallist in swimming, Summer McIntosh, and gold medallist in hammer throw, Ethan Katzberg, having the honour of being Canada’s flag bearers.
Read the full Day 16 recap at Olympic.ca.
Overview of Saskatchewan results
Fifteen athletes with Saskatchewan ties travelled to Paris to compete for the past 16 days and were joined by five coaches and three support staff.
Saskatchewan is shining with two historic medals claimed at the Games. Carissa Norsten, who hails from Waldheim, captured silver with the Canadian women’s sevens rugby team. Meanwhile, Pike Lake’s Rylan Wiens and diving partner Nathan Zsombor-Murray, won bronze in the men’s 10-metre synchronized platform event with 422.13 points. In addition, Wiens had a seventh-place finish in the 10-m individual event.
Other athlete results: Humbolt local Paige Crozon made her Olympic debut with Canada’s first 3×3 women’s basketball team and finished fourth overall … Michelle Harrison, of Saskatoon, finished seventh in the women’s 100-m hurdles Repechage Round…in her Olympic debut, Blaire McDowell, who hails from Regina, joined Canada’s women’s water polo team in an eighth-place finish…the Canadian artistic swimming team, of which Kenzie Priddell was co-captain and Sydney Carroll joined as alternate, finished in sixth place overall…Margo Erlam, who trains out of Saskatoon, made her first Olympic appearance in the women’s 3-m diving event and finished 22nd after receiving 258.30 points…(75-kilogram) boxer Tammara Thibeault, who has ties to Regina, fell with a 3-2 score in the Round of 16…Saskatoon-born Trey Lyles and the Canadian men’s basketball team lost in the quarterfinals 82-73 to France…Borden’s Savannah Sutherland debuted on the Olympic stage in the women’s 400-m hurdles, finishing seventh…Anicka Newell, who has Saskatoon connections, competed in the women’s pole vault event and reached a height of 4.40-m…Saskatoon swimmer Blake Tierney advanced to semifinals in the men’s 100-m event, he fell short of a qualifying time in 100-m finals as well as the 200-m heat… Regina-born Kelsey Wog, was also in the swimming lanes finished 13th in the women’s 100-m breaststroke semifinals…in addition, Ovesh Purahoo, who has ties to Regina, finished with a 52.22 time in the men’s 100-m freestyle preliminary round cometing for Mauritius.
On the coaching side: Mary Carroll accompanied divers Margo Erlam and Rylan Wiens at the Games…Lisa Borgerson joined Canada’s Michele Esercitato, who finished 17th in the men’s 10-m air pistol qualification round…Regina’s Chris Belof assisted the Canadian athletics team in multiple events…head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach Connor Jay guided the 19th-ranked German women’s basketball team to quarterfinals.
Also at the Games, Saskatoon’s Chris Dornan and Regina’s Lisa Hoffart were members of the Team Canada mission staff, while Saskatoon’s Graham Olson was a support staff with the Canadian swimming team.
DAY 15 – AUGUST 10, 2024
Wiens finishes seventh at Games
With a bronze-medal already around his neck from the men’s 10-metre synchronized platform event, diver Rylan Wiens wrapped up his second event of the Olympics with a seventh-place finish in the men’s 10-m individual platform on Saturday morning.
The Pike Lake product started off strong and was sitting third after three rounds, but had trouble with his fourth and fifth dives, eventually finishing in seventh place after six rounds with a total of 445.60 points.
It’s an improvement on his Tokyo Games where he finished 19th overall and didn’t make it out of the preliminary round.
Wiens qualified for the final based off his semifinal results earlier Saturday morning, finishing fifth with a score of 468.40 points.
Canada, McDowell fall in final water polo match
The Canadian women’s water polo team, featuring Regina’s Blaire McDowell, concluded a busy Olympic Games with a 19-10 loss to Greece on Saturday to finish eighth overall.
The two teams were neck-and-neck after the first period, tied 2-2, but Greece got the edge in the next period to take a 7-5 lead at the halfway point. Canada added a couple goals in the third period, but still trailed the Greeks 12-7 entering the fourth.
Upcoming Saskatchewan Competition
No Saskatchewan athletes will compete on the final day of the Olympics, but multiple Saskatchewan athletes will take part in the Closing Ceremony, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saskatchewan time on Sunday.
Canada’s flag bearer or bearers for the Closing Ceremony have not yet been announced.
Olympic Notes: Katie Vincent set a world record and claimed her second medal of the Games, a gold in the women’s C-1 200-m…Phil Wizard earned the first-ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s breaking competition…Another silver medal was captured on the track as Marco Arop finished second in the men’s 800-m race…Paris has now become Canada’s most successful non-boycotted Olympic Summer Games…Canada’s medal count: 27 (9 Gold, 7 Silver, 11 Bronze).
DAY 14 – AUGUST 9, 2024
Wiens dives into semifinals
After claiming bronze in the men’s 10-metre synchro event on Day Three, Pike Lake’s Rylan Wiens dove to third place with 485.25 points in the men’s 10-m platform preliminary and will advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Day Fifteen of the Olympic Games is the finale for Saskatchewan’s last two athletes competing in Paris.
Regina-born Blaire McDowell and the Canadian women’s water polo team will compete for seventh place against Greece, in their final Olympic match at 1:00 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Meanwhile, Rylan Wiens will dive from the 10-m platform in semifinals at 2:00 a.m. (SK time). If he advances, he’ll move onto finals later in the morning at 7:00 a.m.
Olympic Notes: Day Fourteen was full of medal related news for Team Canada… Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake and Brendon Rodney ran to gold in the men’s 4x100m relay…Canoe/kayak duo, Katie Vincent and Sloan Mackenzie claimed silver in the women’s C-2 500-m event…beach volleyball duo, Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson aced a silver medal…Derek Drouin received an upgraded silver medal for his performance in the men’s high jump at London 2012…Canada’s medal total: 24 (7 Gold, 6 Silver, 11 Bronze).
DAY 13 – AUGUST 8, 2024
Sutherland seventh in finals
In the race for gold, Borden’s Savannah Sutherland came up short in the women’s 400-metre hurdles final, finishing seventh with a time of 53.88 seconds.
Time is up for Harrison on Olympic track
Following her results in the women’s 100-m hurdles Repechage Round, Michelle Harrison, of Saskatoon, ran for the final time in Paris.
She finished seventh in her heat with a time of 13.30 seconds and had to be one of the top two finishers in her heat to qualify for semifinals.
McDowell, Canada to play for seventh & eighth place
Regina’s Blaire McDowell and the women’s water polo team will play one final game after their 10-5 loss to Italy, Thursday morning.
The first period ended 1-1, before Canada fell four points leading into halftime.
In the third quarter, Canada made up the four-point difference and tied the score but just two minutes later, Italy took the lead once again.
From that point on, it was all Italy. They scored four more points to close out the fourth period and took the win.
Canada will face Greece August 10, as the two compete for seventh place in the Games.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Day Fourteen in Paris will see a small town Saskatchewan diver compete in his second event.
Pike Lake’s Rylan Wiens is back on the 10-metre platform for the men’s preliminary dive event at 2:00 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Olympic Notes: Canada added two medals to their collection on Day Thirteen…Maude Charron secured silver in the women’s 59-kilogram weightlifting event…taekwondo athlete Skylar Park rounded up Canada’s bronze medal count to ten…Canada’s medal total: 21 (6 Gold, 5 Silver, 10 Bronze).
DAY 12 – AUGUST 7, 2024
Harrison earns second chance
In her Olympic debut, Saskatoon’s Michelle Harrison stepped into the Stade de France Wednesday morning and finished eighth in women’s 100-metre hurdles Round 1 heat, with a 13.40 second time.
Harrison will look to take advantage of Thursday’s Repechage Round, where she must finish as one of the top two in her heat to qualify for semifinals.
Canadian artistic swimming team finishes sixth
After dazzling in their third and final routine, Canada’s artistic swimming team, featuring Regina co-captain Kenzie Priddell, wrapped their time in Paris with a sixth-place finish.
Canada scored 253.0567 points in the Team Acrobatic Routine, 172.8067 for elements and 80.2500 for artistic impression, bringing Canada to 859.2229 points overall after three events.
Saskatoon local, Sydney Carroll, travelled with the team to Paris as an alternate.
Erlam eliminated from prelims
Margo Erlam, who trains out of Saskatoon, made her first Olympic appearance in the women’s 3-metre diving event and finished 22nd after receiving 258.30 points.
Erlam was four points short of qualifying as a reserve for the next phase, with only the 18 top divers advancing to semifinals from the preliminary round.
Germany falls in Olympic quarterfinal
The German women’s basketball team, led by head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach Connor Jay —both of Saskatoon— are out of time at the Olympics, after falling 84 – 71 to France on Wednesday.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
On Day 13 of the Olympics, three Saskatchewan athletes will return in competition, with one competing for the podium.
Borden local, Savannah Sutherland will race for gold in the women’s 400-m hurdles final on Thursday at 1:25 p.m. Saskatchewan time.
Michelle Harrison, of Saskatoon, will also be joining Sutherland on the athletic track, as she competes for a second-chance qualifier in the Repechage Round at 2:35 a.m. (SK time).
Meanwhile, Regina’s Blaire McDowell and the Canadian women’s water polo team will compete in fifth to eighth place classification against Italy at 5:00 a.m. (SK time).
Olympic Notes: Day Twelve brought another bronze medal for Canada after pole vaulter, Alysha Newman reached a Canadian record with a height of 4.85-m…Canada’s medal total: 19 (Gold 6, 4 Silver, 9 Bronze).
DAY 11 – AUGUST 6, 2024
Sutherland secures place in finals
From Borden, Saskatchewan to the qualifying for the Olympic 400-metre hurdles final, Savannah Sutherland has made an impressive debut in Paris.
Sutherland finished fourth in her semifinal heat and sixth overall on Tuesday with a time of 53.80 seconds securing her a spot in Thursday’s final.
Lyles, Canada out of Olympic play
After going 3-0 in the preliminary action, Canada’s men’s basketball team has wrapped their time at the Olympics following their 82-73 loss to France.
In the first 10 minutes of play, France took the lead and closed the first quarter with a 13-point lead. Canada struggled to make up the difference, only being able to pull the score within seven points of each other in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, before the host team made the final basket and took the win.
Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led both teams with 27 points, while Saskatoon’s Trey Lyle’s added two points.
Water polo and McDowell fall in quarterfinals
Olympic quarterfinal action has come and gone for the Canadian women’s water polo team and Regina-born Blaire McDowell, following their 18-8 loss to Spain.
Team Canada fell behind 6-2 in the first period and was down by six points at halftime. Entering the final period, Canada scored an additional four-points, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
The competition is not over for Canada, as they are set to face Italy in fifth to eighth place classification games on August 8.
Canadian artistic swimming team dazzles in Free Routine
Canada’s artistic swimming team, featuring Regina’s co-captain Kenzie Priddell, competed in the Free Routine, their second of three Olympic events.
Canada scored 343.6854 points, 238.3354 for elements and 105.3500 for artistic impression.
The final event, Team Acrobatic Routine, will take place Wednesday, when podium results will be determined by the accumulative scores from technical, free and acrobatic routines.
Sydney Carroll, who hails from Saskatoon, joined the team in Paris as an alternate.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Day 12 in Paris will see two Saskatchewan athletes make their Olympic debut, as well as two coaches and an athlete return to competition.
Jumping back in the pool for their final event, Canada’s artistic swimming team will compete in the Team Acrobatic Routine Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Margo Erlam, who is from Calgary but trains in Saskatoon, is making her first Olympic appearance in the women’s 3-m springboard preliminary event, Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m. (SK time).
In the Stade de France, Saskatoon’s Michelle Harrison is making her Olympic debut in the women’s 100-m hurdles Round 1 at 2:15 a.m. (SK time).
In addition, the German women’s basketball team, led by head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach Connor Jay, will face France in quarterfinals on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. (SK time).
Olympic Notes: Canada added another gold to their tally on Day Eleven of the Games…Camryn Rogers secured a gold medal in the women’s hammer throw…Canada’s medal total: 18 (Gold 6, 4 Silver, 8 Bronze).
DAY 10 – AUGUST 5, 2024
Crozon, 3×3 team finish fourth
Paige Crozon and the Canadian women’s 3×3 basketball team wrapped up their Olympic action on Monday, finishing in fourth place following a pair of losses.
Taking on the United States in the bronze-medal game, Canada got ahead by multiple baskets twice in the game, but each time the Americans were able to battle back, eventually winning the game 16-13.
Crozon, who hails from Humboldt, had two points in the game.
Earlier in the day, Canada faced Germany in the semifinals.
Canada held a 10-6 lead with four minutes and 31 seconds left to go in that game, but soon found themselves in foul trouble, a fact that Germany took advantage of to close the gap and win 16-15.
Crozon had four points in the game.
Artistic swimming team competes in technical routine
The Canadian artistic swimming team, featuring co-captain Kenzie Priddell of Regina, competed in their first of three events on Monday, the Team Technical Routine.
Canada scored 262.4808 points for the routine, 173.1308 for elements and 89.3500 for artistic impression.
Next up will be the Team Free Routine on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Saskatoon’s Sydney Carroll is also in Paris as an alternate with the team.
Newell eliminated from pole vault
Three-time Olympian Anicka Newell, who has Saskatoon connections, competed in the women’s pole vault preliminaries on Monday morning, reaching a height of 4.40-metres, however it was enough for her to qualify for finals.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Saskatoon-born Trey Lyles and the Canadian men’s basketball team will face France in the quarterfinal round on Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. SK time.
Also competing in the quarterfinals will be Regina’s Blaire McDowell and the Canadian women’s water polo team against Spain at 6:00 a.m. SK time on Tuesday.
Canada’s artistic swimming team will be back in action for their second event on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. SK time, with the Team Free Routine.
Finally, Borden’s Savannah Sutherland will race in the women’s 400-m hurdles semifinals on Tuesday at 12:07 p.m.
Olympic Notes: Canada didn’t add any medals on Day 10. Canada’s medal count: 17 (5 Gold, 4 Silver, 8 Bronze).
DAY NINE – AUGUST 4, 2024
Sutherland headed to hurdles semifinals
Making her Olympic debut in the women’s 400-metre hurdles on Sunday, Borden product Savannah Sutherland clocked a time of 54.80 seconds to finish third in her heat and advance to the semifinals, which will take place August 6 at 12:07 p.m. Saskatchewan time.
Sutherland will also be taking part in the 4×400-m relay later this week.
McDowell, water polo wrap up group phase
Regina-born Blaire McDowell and the Canadian women’s water polo team are bound for quarterfinals after wrapping up group phase action on Sunday with a 20-11 loss to the Netherlands.
Canada kept it close in the first period, only down 5-4 at the break, but the Netherlands increased their lead to five goals by halftime and six goals at the end of the third period.
With the loss, the Canadian squad finishes the group phase with a 1-3 record, but in fourth place, good enough to earn a spot in the quarterfinals against Spain on August 6 at 6:00 a.m. SK time.
Thomaidis, Jay, Germany fall in final group game
The German women’s basketball team, led by head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach Connor Jay —both of Saskatoon— received their first loss of the Olympics on Sunday, falling 87-68 to the United States in their final group game.
Germany wraps up group play with a 2-1 record, finishing second in Group C, and will advance to quarterfinals, which will begin August 7.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Three Saskatchewan athletes will be in competition on Day 10 of the Olympics, with one in the medal round.
Humboldt’s Paige Crozon and the Canadian women’s 3×3 basketball team will have two games on Monday. First up, semifinals against Germany at 10:30 a.m. SK time. If the team wins, they’ll advance to the gold-medal final at 2:00 p.m. SK time or move on to the bronze-medal final at 1:00 p.m. SK time if they lose.
Canada’s artistic swimming team, along with co-captain Kenzie Priddell of Regina, will get its first taste of action at the Paris Olympics when they hit the pool for the Team Technical Routine Monday morning at 11:30 a.m. SK time. Saskatoon’s Sydney Carroll is also at the Games as an alternate with the team.
Anika Newell, who has Saskatoon ties, will make her third-straight Olympic appearance on Monday morning in the women’s pole vault qualification round at 2:40 a.m.
Olympic Notes: Canada added another pair of medals on Day Nine of the Olympics…Ethan Katzberg earned Canada’s first-ever gold medal in the men’s hammer throw…Wyatt Sanford claimed a bronze in the men’s 63.5-kilogram event…Canada’s medal total: 17 (5 Gold, 4 Silver, 8 Bronze).
DAY EIGHT – AUGUST 3, 2024
Crozon hits 3×3 game winner
Canada’s women’s 3×3 basketball team and Humboldt’s Paige Crozon are heading to semifinals at the Paris Olympics following a 21-10 victory over Australia in Saturday’s play-in game.
The Canadians put in a dominant performance on the court, leading from the get-go and building that lead as the game went on thanks to hitting five two-point shots, including the game winner by Crozon.
Kacie Bosch led the red-and-white with nine points, while Crozon added five.
With the win, Canada advances to the semifinals against Germany on Monday, August 5 at 10:30 a.m. Saskatchewan time. The gold and bronze medal games will follow later that day.
Earlier on Saturday, the final games of pool play were held with Canada taking on Azerbaijan and defeating them 21-19. Crozon contributed six points in that game, while teammate Michelle Plouffe led the squad with eight points.
That victory gave Canada a 4-3 record in the pool standings, good enough for fourth place.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Day Nine of the Paris Olympics will see two Saskatchewan athletes and two coaches get in on the action, with one making their first appearance at the Games.
Borden’s Savannah Sutherland will make her Olympic debut and take part in her first of two events in Paris, the women’s 400-metre hurdles, with Round 1 taking place at 4:35 a.m. (SK time).
Regina’s Blaire McDowell and the Canadian women’s water polo team will wrap up pool play with a game against the Netherlands at 10:30 a.m. (SK time).
Meanwhile, head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach Connor Jay, will lead the German women’s basketball in their third and final game of pool play against the United States at 9:15 a.m. (SK time).
Olympic Notes: Canada added four medals on Day Eight of the Olympics…Summer McIntosh earned her fourth medal of the games, this time a gold in the women’s 200-m individual medley…Also in the pool, Josh Liendo and Ilya Kharun went second and third, r9espectively, in the men’s 100-m butterfly…The eight-women rowing team earned silver on the 2,000-m course…Canada’s total 15 (4 Gold, 4 Silver, 7 Bronze).
DAY SEVEN– AUGUST 2, 2024
Canada’s 3×3 goes into overtime twice
It’s been a week of the Paris Summer Olympic Games and the Canadian women’s 3×3 team withstood another day of competition.
Canada played neck-and-neck against the United States, leading to a tied score 16-16 with 18 seconds left on the clock. Humbolt’s Paige Crozon came in on defence with a major block in the final six seconds, putting the game into overtime.
Canada made a one-point shot seven seconds into overtime play, before America’s Rhyne Howard beat the shot clock buzzer to score the two-point shot and secure the overtime18-17 victory.
In their afternoon game, Canada went into overtime action for the second time after tying it up 20-20 against Spain to run the clock out. Seconds into overtime, Spain scored a two-pointer to beat Canada 22-20 in their second-last pool game of the Olympics., Canada fell to Spain 22-20, only seconds into overtime.
Crozon brought Canada three points in both games, just short of Canada’s top scorers, the Plouffe twins.
The team currently sits fifth in the women’s pool with a 3-3 record. They’ll wrap up Pool play Saturday morning against Azerbaijan.
Following Pool play, the top two teams in the standings will advance directly to the semifinals, while the next four teams will compete in play-in games on Saturday afternoon. Winners of those games will advance to semifinals, while those who lose will wrap up their Olympic experience.
Canada sits top of Group A
Canada’s men’s basketball team stayed strong as an 88-85 win over Spain brought them to the top of their group play, going undefeated (3-0).
The game opened with Spain on the board with a two-point shot early in the first quarter, but it wasn’t long until Saskatoon-born Trey Lyles, turned up the heat and made his first three-pointer of the Olympics to close out the first quarter with a 19-19 tie.
Canada pulled ahead in the second quarter, taking a nine-point lead over Spain and although Spain was able to pull the score within two points in the final quarter, they never could get ahead.
The Canadian men’s basketball team sits on top of the combined rankings, qualifying them a spot in quarterfinals on Tuesday, August 6, alongside seven of the other top teams.
Women’s water polo fourth in group play
Regina’s Blaire McDowell and the Canadian women’s water polo team are 1-2 in preliminary action after a 10-7 loss to Australia.
Canada ended the first period 1-1 against the Aussies, before Australia took the lead in the second and left Canada unable to make up the difference, even after securing three goals in the fourth period.
McDowell and Team Canada will look for a win in their final preliminary game against the Netherlands on Sunday, Aug. 4 at 10:30 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Day Eight of the Olympics will feature a single Saskatchewan athlete as Paige Crozon and the Canadian women’s 3×3 team wrap up Pool play with a game against Azerbaijan at 9:30 a.m. SK time.
Following that game, the 3×3 team will look to earn a spot in the semifinals through the play-in-games, which will take place at either 1:30 p.m. or 2:05 p.m, depending on Canada’s final Pool ranking.
Olympic Notes: Day Seven of the Olympic Games saw three Canadians stand on the podium for bronze. Sophiane Methot finished third in the women’s trampoline event… Kylie Masse swam her way to bronze in the women’s 200-m backstroke with a 2:05.57 time…Another historic medal was added to Canada’s tally following Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gaby Dabrowski’s mixed doubles third-place performance. Canada’s medal count: 11 (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 6 Bronze).
DAY SIX – AUGUST 1, 2024
Mixed results for Crozon and Canada
Canada’s women’s 3×3 basketball team and Humboldt player, Paige Crozon lost their morning game 19-15 to Germany.
With four minutes left on the clock, Canada took a 10-9 lead over their opponent, but it wasn’t long before Germany reclaimed the lead.
Canada fought to make up the distance, with Crozon making a two-point shot with nine seconds remaining —bringing her game total to four points— but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
In their second game of the day, it was a different outcome for Canada, as they took the 13-9 win over France.
In that game, Canada got on the board first and extended their lead to 5-0 before the French team was able to score their first basket. And while France was able to pull the game within two points at certain points, they were never able to tie or take the lead.
Crozon and teammate Katherine Plouffe, led both teams with four points.
Canada is just over halfway through group play and currently sits second with a 3-1 record, behind the No. 1 Australian team.
The Canadian squad will play another pair of games on Friday, one against the United States and the other against Spain.
Thomaidis and Jay guide Germany to win
Germany’s women’s basketball team, led by head coach by Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach, Connor Jay —who both have ties to Saskatoon— defeated Japan 75-64 for their second win of the Games.
Germany will hit the court again for their game against the United States Aug. 4 at 9:15 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Friday will oversee Saskatchewan athletes back in action in three sports.
Paige Crozon and the Canadian women’s 3×3 team will compete in another set of games on Friday, one against the United States at 10:00 a.m. (SK time) and the other at 1:00 p.m. against Spain.
Trey Lyles is back on the court with the Canadian men’s basketball team for their game against Spain at 9:15 a.m. (SK time).
After a one-day break in competition, Blaire McDowell and Canada’s women’s water polo team will face Australia at 6:00 a.m. (SK time).
Olympic Notes: Day Six of the Games has brought Canada’s medal count to eight after Summer McIntosh earned Canada’s third gold medal in the women’s 200-m butterfly… Canada’s medal count: 8 (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze).
DAY FIVE – JULY 31, 2024
McDowell and Team Canada earn first win
Regina’s Blaire McDowell and the Canadian women’s water polo team made a comeback, earning their first win in Paris by defeating China 12-7 in their second preliminary game of the Olympics.
Team Canada secured the first goal of the match and held a 4-0 lead over China entering the second quarter. For the remainder of the game, Canada continued the lead over their opponents to take the win.
McDowell and Canada will face Australia in their next match against Australia on Friday, Aug. 2 at 6:00 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Canada 3×3 undefeated
Humbolt local, Paige Crozon and her Canadian teammates continued to dominate the 3×3 basketball court.
Not even a minute into the game, Crozon made the first two-point shot and set the tone for Canada’s performance.
The red and white defeated China 20-11, with just under two minutes left on the clock. Crozon, alongside teammate Michelle Plouffe, led both teams with 7 points.
The squad will have a pair of games on Thursday, one against Germany and the other against France.
Wog hits the water
Regina-born Kelsey Wog made her Paris debut in the women’s 200-metre breaststroke heats, finishing fourth with a 2:25.11 time and spot in the afternoon’s semifinals.
Following her morning results, Wog finished the semifinals with a time of 2:24.82 in 13th place, missing out on a top-eight time needed to move onto finals.
Thibeault falls in preliminary match
Tammara Thibeault, who has ties to Regina, got her first, and what turned out to be her final, taste of action in Paris, competing in the round of 16 against Cindy Djankeu Ngamba (Olympic Refugee Team) in the women’s 75-kilogram boxing category.
The opponents went for the full three rounds with no knockout, sending the decision to the judges, who scored it 3-2 in favour of Ngamba (27-30, 29-28, 28-29, 30-27 and 29-28)Tierney’s time in Paris concludes
Blake Tierney ‘s time at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games has come to an end.
The Saskatoon swimmer finished seventh in his heat in the men’s 200-m backstroke and 19th overall with a time of 1:58.39. Only the top-16 finishers advanced to semifinals.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Paige Crozon and the Canadian women’s 3×3 team will be busy on Thursday as they take on Germany at 1:30 a.m. (SK time) and France later in the day at 2:00 p.m.
Head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach, Connor Jay, who both have ties to Saskatoon, will guide Germany’s women’s basketball team in their match against Japan at 3:00 a.m. (SK time).
Olympic Notes: Ilya Kharun became the first Canadian to win a medal in the men’s 200-metre butterfly, capturing bronze…Janine Beckie, who has Saskatchewan connections, and the Canadian women’s soccer team won 1-0 over Columbia to secure a place in the quarterfinals…Canada’s medal count: 7 (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze).
DAY FOUR – JULY 30, 2024
Canada’s shining in history with silver
For Canada’s final day on the Olympic rugby pitch, Waldheim’s Carissa Norsten joined the women’s team for a semifinal win and a spot in the gold medal match.
For the second time at the Olympic Games, Canada faced New Zealand, this time in the final after losing to them in pool play. New Zealand took an early 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game, but Canada fought back, scoring back-to-back tries —one converted and one not— to take a 12-7 lead into halftime.
New Zealand came out strong in the second half, scoring a converted try within the first minute and then went on to add another try with two minutes left in the game to take a 19-12. That score remained until time ran out.
In their first game of the day, Canada faced Australia and trailed 12-0 until a try and conversion for the red and white right before halftime cut the lead to 12-7. In the second half, the Canadian squad added another pair of tries and kept the Aussies off the scoreboard to win the game 21-12 and advance to the gold medal match.
Claiming silver made Canadian history as the best results in rugby at the Olympic Games, topping the bronze medal won by the women’s team at Tokyo 2020.
Crozon and Canada’s strong Olympic debut
Canada’s Olympic debut in women’s 3×3 basketball ended with a victory over Australia for Humbolt product Paige Crozon and her teammates.
Bringing the heat with just over five minutes remaining in the game, Crozon extended Canada’s lead 10-2 with a one-point free throw and continued to make back-to-back free throws and an additional one-point shot.
Canada made a final two-point shot to close the game, 22-14 and take the win.
Crozon and Canada will look ahead to their game against China, Wednesday, July 31 at 10:00 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Canada moves 2-0 in men’s basketball
The Canadian men’s basketball team returned to the court after a two-day break without skipping a beat and claimed an 93-83 win over Australia.
Canada trailed 49-45 at halftime but came out strong in the second half and led 72-70 at the end of the third quarter.
It remained a close game until the final quarter, when Canada scored an additional 21 points and held Australia to only 13. With three seconds left on the clock, Canada scored their final three-point shot to come out 10 points on top of Australia.
Canada’s Rj Barrett led both teams with 24 points, while Saskatoon’s Trey Lyle’s added three points in the victory.
Lyles and Team Canada will compete against Spain Aug. 2 at 9:15 a.m. (SK time) in their final group phase game.
Purahoo concludes time at Olympics
Making his Olympic debut in the pool, Ovesh Purahoo represented Team Mauritius in the men’s 100-metre freestyle heats event.
Purahoo, who has ties to Regina, finished with a 52.22 time and did not advance.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
On Wednesday, July 31, five athletes with ties to Saskatchewan will compete for Day Five of the Olympic Games. Four are returning in competition and one is making their first appearance.
Saskatoon’s Blake Tierney is hitting the pool once again, but this time in the men’s 200-metre backstroke heats at 3:21 a.m. (SK time). If he advances, he’ll move onto semifinals later in the day at 2:34 p.m.
Regina-born Kelsey Wog will also be joining Tierney in the swimming lanes, as she competes in the women’s 200-m breaststroke heats at 3:00 a.m. and potentially 2:31 p.m., if she advances to semifinals.
Paige Crozon, of Humbolt, with be joining Canada 3×3 team in their second pool game and will face China at 10:00 a.m. (SK time).
Looking to make a comeback with Team Canada, Regina water polo player, Blaire McDowell will compete against China at 7:35 a.m. (SK time).
Boxer, Tammara Thibeault, who has ties to Regina, will compete for the first time this Games against Cindy Djankeu Ngamba (Olympic Refugee Team) in the women’s 75-kilogram category at 9:06 a.m. (SK time).
Olympic Notes: Canada concluded Day Four of competition in Paris with an additional silver medal being added to their tally by the women’s rugby 7s team… Canada’s medal count: 6 (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze).
DAY THREE – JULY 29, 2024
Wiens dives to historic bronze
Canadian history has been made and Pike Lake’s Rylan Wiens helped claim the title.
Joined by diving partner Nathan Zsomb0r-Murray, the pair claimed Canada’s second bronze medal of the 2024 Games, but the country’s first Olympic medal in the men’s 10-metre synchro event after diving to 422.13 points.
Saskatoon’s Mary Carroll accompanied Wiens as coach for their second Games together.
Wiens will look ahead to his solo performance in the men’s 10- metre preliminary event on Friday, Aug. 9 at 2:00 a.m. (SK time).
Norsten, Canada advance to semifinals against Australia
Carissa Norsten, who hails from Waldheim, joined the Canadian women’s rugby 7s team in two more wins, helping the team earn a spot in semifinals.
In their first match of the day, China scored two tries early in the first half, but Canada closed the gap by scoring two tries with accompanying conversions before entering the second half of the game. Canada scored another two tries to close out the game 26-17 and qualify for quarterfinals.
Later in the day, Canada faced France for a spot in semifinals.
Canada scored a try early in the game before France tied the game at 7, heading into halftime. Following the break, France scored another converted try to take a 14-7 lead, however, Canada tied it up again two minutes later, before taking the 19-14 lead with less than one minute to play. The Canadian squad held off the host team to final whistle and punch their ticket to semifinals.Canada and Norsten will compete in semifinal action on Tuesday, July 30 at 8:00 a.m. Saskatchewan time against Australia. Gold and bronze matches will then follow later in the morning.
McDowell debuts with Canada against Hungary
Regina-born Blaire McDowell made her Olympic debut with Canada’s women’s water polo team in their match against Hungary but fell 12-7 in preliminary action.
Canada was unable to make up the difference after Hungary scored a goal early in the first quarter and continued to hold the lead over Canada.
McDowell and Canada look to make a comeback in their second preliminary game against China, on Wednesday, July 31 at 7:35 a.m. (SK time).
Thomaidis and Jay guide Team Germany to victory over Belgium
University of Saskatchewan head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach, Connor Jay, guided Germany’s women’s team to an 83-69 win over Belgium.
Germany will compete in their second pool game against Japan Aug. 1 at 3:00 a.m. (SK time).
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
On Tuesday, July 30, two more athletes will join Saskatchewan on the Olympic stage as they make their debut.
Paige Crozon, of Humbolt, is set to make her Olympic debut with Canada’s first 3×3 women’s basketball team to compete in the Games. Canada will take on Australia in their opening game at 10:00 a.m. (SK time).
Waldheim’s Carissa Norsten is back for her third day of play with the Canadian women’s rugby 7s team, as they take on Australia in semifinal action on July 30, at 8:00 a.m. (SK time). Depending on results, Canada will move onto gold or bronze medal games at either 11:00 or 11:45 a.m. (SK time).
On the basketball court, Trey Lyles is back in action after a two-day break from play. The Canadian men’s basketball team will compete in their second pool game against Australia at 5:30 a.m. (SK time).
With ties to Regina, Ovesh Purahoo will make his debut in the pool as he represents Team Mauritius in the men’s 100-metre freestyle heat at 3:00 a.m. (SK time), in an attempt to advance to the 100-m freestyle semifinals at 12:30 p.m. (SK time).
Olympic Notes: Day Three brought Canada’s medal total up by three. Christa Deguchi claimed Canada’s first Olympic gold medal in women’s 57-kilogram event and is the first Canadian Olympic champion in Judo… In addition, Canada gained their second gold by swimmer, Summer McIntosh in the 400-m individual medley… In the world of diving, Wiens and Zsombor-Murray claimed a historic bronze in the men’s synchro diving event… Canada’s medal count: 5 (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze).
DAY TWO – JULY 28, 2024
Tierney makes Olympic debut in 100-metre backstroke
Saskatoon swimmer, Blake Tierney made a splash with his Olympic debut in the men’s 100-metre backstroke heats, finishing fifth with a 53.89 time, to earn a spot in the afternoon’s semifinals.
Following his performance Sunday morning, Tierney finished eighth with a 53.71 time in semifinals and will not be advancing to Monday’s 100-m finals.
Tierney will now begin preparation for his performance Wed. July 31 at 3:00 a.m., in the men’s 200-m backstroke heats.
Canadian women’s rugby 7s team has mixed results
The Canadian women’s rugby 7s team, with Waldheim’s Carissa Norsten, began their time in Paris with a 17-14 win over Fiji, scoring two of their tries in the first half and one in the second. Later in the day, Canada fell 33-7 to New Zealand in their second match. Canada scored a try midway through the first half to tie the game at 7, but it was all New Zealand after that, as they scored another two tries in the remaining first-half time and added another two in the second half. Canada and Norsten will play their final pool game against China on Monday, July 29 at 8:00 a.m. Saskatchewan time. Playoffs will then follow in the afternoon.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Monday, July 29 will open the week’s events with four individuals with ties to Saskatchewan making an appearance on the international stage in Paris.
Pike Lake’s Rylan Wiens will join diving partner, Nathan Zsombor-Murray, at 3:00 a.m. (SK time), in the men’s synchronized 10-metre platform event.
For her Olympic debut, Blaire McDowell, who hails from Regina, will join Canada’s women’s water polo team in their opening match against Hungary at 12:05 p.m. (SK time).
Back for her second day of action on the rugby field, Waldheim’s Carissa Norsten and the Canadian women’s 7s team will face off against China at 8:00 a.m. (SK time). Depending on results, Canada will have a chance to move onto quarterfinals (12:00 or 12:30 p.m. SK time) or compete in 9-12 placing games (1:00 or 1:30 p.m. SK time) in the afternoon.
Head coach Lisa Thomaidis and assistant coach, Connor Jay, both with ties to Saskatoon, will be guiding Germany’s women’s basketball team through their first game against Belgium at 5:30 a.m. (SK time).
Olympic Notes: Canada’s medal count has gone up by one. A historic bronze was claimed by Eleanor Harvey, who won Canada’s first Olympic medal in fencing. Canada’s medal count: 2 (0 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze).
DAY ONE – JULY 27, 2024
The Canadian men’s basketball team starts strong
Saskatoon-born basketball player Trey Lyles made his Olympic debut with the Canadian men’s basketball team on Day One of the Paris Summer Olympic Games, to bring home an 86-79 win over Greece.
Canada brought the heat to their first game, ending the first quarter with a four-point lead over Greece. They kept ahead of their opponents through the second quarter with 48 points and ended the third quarter 68-60 against Greece.
To close out the final quarter, Lyles assisted Barrett in Canada’s final two-point shot to bring them the official win over Greece.
Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo led both teams with 34 total points, while RJ Barrett stood as Canada’s lead scorer with 23 points.
Canada will look ahead to their next round robin game against Australia on July 30, at 5:30 a.m. Saskatchewan time.
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Three Saskatchewan athletes will get their first taste of action in Paris on Sunday, July 28.
In the pool, Saskatoon’s Blake Tierney will make his Olympic debut in the men’s 100-metre backstroke heats at 3:43 a.m. (SK time). If he advances, he’ll move onto semifinals later in the day at 1:32 p.m.
He’ll be joined by Regina-born Kelsey Wog, who will compete in the women’s 100-m breaststroke heat at 3:27 a.m. and potentially 1:10 p.m., if she advances to semifinals.
Carissa Norsten, who hails from Waldheim, is set to compete twice on the rugby field as Canada’s women’s 7s team takes on Fiji at 9:30 a.m. and New Zealand in the afternoon at 1:30 p.m.
Olympic Notes: Summer McIntosh claimed Canada’s first 2024 Olympic medal in the women’s 400-metre freestyle race with a 3:58.37 time, to receive silver.
OPENING CEREMONIES – JULY 26, 2024
Canada joins Olympic history at 2024 Opening Ceremony
For the first time in Olympic history, the Opening Ceremony took place outside of an arena, as numerous Canadian athletes joined together on the Seine River to help represent the country at the Paris Summer Olympic Games.
Sprinter and three-time Olympian, Andre De Grasse and two-time Olympian weightlifter Maude Charron led the Canadian delegation through the ceremony.
A full recap is available at Olympic.ca
Upcoming Saskatchewan competition
Saskatoon born Trey Lyles will begin competition on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. Saskatchewan time, with the men’s Canadian basketball team to verse Greece.
Olympic Notes: The Canadian women’s soccer team with Janine Beckie, who has connections to Saskatchewan, defeated New Zealand 2-1 to open the 2024 Olympic Games.